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Jokes, Jokes, Jokes: My Very Funny Memoir
How did little Jenny Hargreaves become Jenny Eclair and elbow her way into the male dominated world of 1980s stand-up?
Daughter of Major Derek Hargreaves (spy?) and June Hargreaves (spy's wife?) sister of Sara (born to be Head Girl) and Ben (the usurper), Jenny's comedy career took off via drama school, cider, sausage rolls, sleeping with men who looked like they lived under a carpet, punk poetry, anorexia, bedsit misery, waitressing and not really having a clue about anything.
This was a world before microphones, mobile phones, before everyone gave up smoking or started taking coke. Jenny Eclair was on the comedy circuit before there really was a comedy circuit and was the first woman to win the Perrier Award along the way.
Still gigging to sell-out crowds forty years later, Jenny Eclair's memoir charts her childhood, her career and the changing face of women in comedy, all told with hilarious brilliance in Jokes, Jokes, Jokes, her very funny memoir.
Daughter of Major Derek Hargreaves (spy?) and June Hargreaves (spy's wife?) sister of Sara (born to be Head Girl) and Ben (the usurper), Jenny's comedy career took off via drama school, cider, sausage rolls, sleeping with men who looked like they lived under a carpet, punk poetry, anorexia, bedsit misery, waitressing and not really having a clue about anything.
This was a world before microphones, mobile phones, before everyone gave up smoking or started taking coke. Jenny Eclair was on the comedy circuit before there really was a comedy circuit and was the first woman to win the Perrier Award along the way.
Still gigging to sell-out crowds forty years later, Jenny Eclair's memoir charts her childhood, her career and the changing face of women in comedy, all told with hilarious brilliance in Jokes, Jokes, Jokes, her very funny memoir.
414 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 3, 2024
62 people are currently reading
123 people want to read
About the author
Jenny Eclair
36 books295 followersJenny Eclair is an English comedian, author and actor. She has appeared on numerous tv shows, most notably Grumpy Old Women, and Loose Women, performed on stage and hosted her own radio shows. She continues to tour her one woman stand up shows throughout the UK and was the first female comic to win The Edinburgh Fringe Perrier Award, in 1995.
She has written three novels, as well as contributed to many comedic anthologies.
She has written three novels, as well as contributed to many comedic anthologies.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 52 reviews
October 14, 2024
Fabulous loved this book from beginning to end OWL aged 57
November 23, 2024
Great read, have listened to her podcast since the beginning and really enjoyed reading her memoir.
Funny, poignant and honest.
Funny, poignant and honest.
October 28, 2024
This is a great read.
This is a book that gives an honest and entertaining insight into the slog of a career in comedy.
Sensitively written, it is also entwines the poignant telling of a very close knit family.
Having enjoyed ‘Little Lifetimes’ over the years I now feel the need to turn to Eclair novels.
This is a book that gives an honest and entertaining insight into the slog of a career in comedy.
Sensitively written, it is also entwines the poignant telling of a very close knit family.
Having enjoyed ‘Little Lifetimes’ over the years I now feel the need to turn to Eclair novels.
December 8, 2024
Excellent book, very honest and a great read.
I really enjoyed the book.
I really enjoyed the book.
December 9, 2024
I've thoroughly enjoyed reading Jenny Eclair's memoir. She is a fabulous writer. Really rich, clever and of course very funny writing. Loved every page.
April 17, 2025
I think I have a problem with famous people’s memoirs in that I love reading about their youth but find I get bored once they grow up and start getting famous. In part, it’s because I don’t necessarily know the programmes they’ve appeared on, but more likely it’s because I either don’t know their famous friends or get fed up with these being mentioned so much. This book fits into this category.
I liked her honesty in describing her anorexia and also her misspent twenties and thirties though.
P.s. my sister flew to Spain in 1965 too, and brought me back the mini salt and pepper pots, like Jenny’s grandparents did.
I liked her honesty in describing her anorexia and also her misspent twenties and thirties though.
P.s. my sister flew to Spain in 1965 too, and brought me back the mini salt and pepper pots, like Jenny’s grandparents did.
October 13, 2024
Jenny lives a very chaotic and uncertain life. I don’t know anyone else who live like this but then I am not in the creative world. If only everyone was so honest
January 13, 2025
Took me 5ever because I only listened to it in the car. What a joy to have Jenny eclair as a perpetual co-pilot and entertainer.
April 6, 2025
I normally avoid comics memoirs, usually kust a quick way to sell books at Christmas to people who don’t normally read! But i needed something light and non taxing after some heavy historical works.
I listened to the author read her own memoir and it works.
She writes in a straightforward immediately relatable fashion, and her evocations of growing up in a happy family in the pre-tech days of the 60s and 70s were charming and lightly funny.
As her adulthood dawns and her career as a comedienne gets going we hear more of the slightly acidic tone that is her professional stock.
Though she routinely and consistently describes herself as lazy, and her recounted behaviours are obviously immature, she nonetheless develops a sense of herself (professionally at least) as rather hard done by.
This seems a little incongruous. She writes of her admiration for the ‘genius’ of Victoria Wood, and of her jealousy of Victoria and indeed any female comic who does well (Caroline Ahern for example), but doesn’t seem aware that VW was both extraordinarily hard working, and her approach to life was much more mature much earlier, nor does she ever connect her own relative lack of success with any of her self confessed failings.
No doubt she did suffer from the undeniable casual misogyny aimed at women stand ups in the 80s, but the truth is that in those days, her oeuvre was too coarse for mainstream tastes, and she too unpolished and acerbic to land one of the lucrative TV gigs she so obviously craved/craves.
In any case she stuck it out and made a career that sat her for a long time firmly in the lower middle rung of showbiz success, from whence most of her genuinely amusing and often wry observations here are drawn.
In her 50s she really came into her own and in particular, finds success as a writer, both for radio and of novels.
She IS funny and there are indeed many jokes, and some really good ones (though interestingly not the old ones she especially likes herself which hark back to a sort of teen girl shock approach that I remembered her for in the early days, all about girl parts and messiness).
When Jenny was a semi successful comic in the 80s, I always wanted to like her more than I did. Despite her own weaknesses and lack of self awareness in the professional area, she really did get much much better, and deserves the success she has now and perhaps more.
In fairness, She’s long over her bitterness and petty jealousies (which clearly weren’t helping her make progress).
She is still funny funny, but also much warmer and less obvious than she once was. I laughed and I laughed out loud pretty often reading this. Enough to make me think i’ll try her novels too at some point. I like her now too.
I listened to the author read her own memoir and it works.
She writes in a straightforward immediately relatable fashion, and her evocations of growing up in a happy family in the pre-tech days of the 60s and 70s were charming and lightly funny.
As her adulthood dawns and her career as a comedienne gets going we hear more of the slightly acidic tone that is her professional stock.
Though she routinely and consistently describes herself as lazy, and her recounted behaviours are obviously immature, she nonetheless develops a sense of herself (professionally at least) as rather hard done by.
This seems a little incongruous. She writes of her admiration for the ‘genius’ of Victoria Wood, and of her jealousy of Victoria and indeed any female comic who does well (Caroline Ahern for example), but doesn’t seem aware that VW was both extraordinarily hard working, and her approach to life was much more mature much earlier, nor does she ever connect her own relative lack of success with any of her self confessed failings.
No doubt she did suffer from the undeniable casual misogyny aimed at women stand ups in the 80s, but the truth is that in those days, her oeuvre was too coarse for mainstream tastes, and she too unpolished and acerbic to land one of the lucrative TV gigs she so obviously craved/craves.
In any case she stuck it out and made a career that sat her for a long time firmly in the lower middle rung of showbiz success, from whence most of her genuinely amusing and often wry observations here are drawn.
In her 50s she really came into her own and in particular, finds success as a writer, both for radio and of novels.
She IS funny and there are indeed many jokes, and some really good ones (though interestingly not the old ones she especially likes herself which hark back to a sort of teen girl shock approach that I remembered her for in the early days, all about girl parts and messiness).
When Jenny was a semi successful comic in the 80s, I always wanted to like her more than I did. Despite her own weaknesses and lack of self awareness in the professional area, she really did get much much better, and deserves the success she has now and perhaps more.
In fairness, She’s long over her bitterness and petty jealousies (which clearly weren’t helping her make progress).
She is still funny funny, but also much warmer and less obvious than she once was. I laughed and I laughed out loud pretty often reading this. Enough to make me think i’ll try her novels too at some point. I like her now too.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 28, 2025
I have a fascination for stand up comics especially what motivates them to get up on stage and be potentially humiliated.
I found this memoir quirky rather than laugh out loud and there is a lot in this book and I could imagine Eclair telling it at a rapid pace.
What comes across is the comedy world is a man's world which hasn't changed that much since Eclair entered it.
She does recognise her short comings in that she can't act or sing, but she can make a story interesting.
What comes across is that you have to stick at it to succeed.
One big surprise to me were the number of people in the comedy world she mentions, I have seen on stage or I have met including Malcolm Hardie introduced to me by my brother about 30 years ago.
I found this memoir quirky rather than laugh out loud and there is a lot in this book and I could imagine Eclair telling it at a rapid pace.
What comes across is the comedy world is a man's world which hasn't changed that much since Eclair entered it.
She does recognise her short comings in that she can't act or sing, but she can make a story interesting.
What comes across is that you have to stick at it to succeed.
One big surprise to me were the number of people in the comedy world she mentions, I have seen on stage or I have met including Malcolm Hardie introduced to me by my brother about 30 years ago.
November 16, 2024
I like Jenny Eclair. I have been to her stand up shows & I enjoy her podcast & I have read her novels. So I was looking forward to this book. I am a little disappointed. It is ok but I felt that it was not written particularly well & some areas of the story of her life seemed very rushed particularly towards the end. Maybe the deadline was due. I particularly hated the use of Ha Ha Ha being inserted in paragraphs. By the end of the book it was really grinding on me. Also a distinct lack of photographs for an autobiography particularly when the ones used have previously been on her Instagram account.
I wish I liked it more….i really do but it just wasn’t a great read for me.
I wish I liked it more….i really do but it just wasn’t a great read for me.
November 18, 2025
If you are looking for a laugh - this is it! A very funny memoir indeed. I first came across Jenny Eclair when she appeared in Taskmaster season 15, but she has actually been a comedienne/performer/entertainer since she left school - initially in stand-up comedy, appearing in tiny little venues in front of tiny little crowds, gradually fine-tuning her act and moving on to bigger things like the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, TV and radio, and even writing a few books. I thoroughly enjoyed her memoir, it gives a great insight as to what it is like to work in the industry. It takes a very brave person to make a career out of something that may not necessarily provide a regular income - but, now in her 60s, Eclair has proven that she has got what it takes and made her passion work. -Very un-putdownable!
January 6, 2025
I enjoyed it. I am a similar age and I listen to her podcast, so I am a fan. The description of her childhood brought back memories. I was surprised by how chaotic her life has been at times and the level of self doubt from, let's not forget, the 1st woman to win the Perrier as a solo act. She is refreshingly honest about what she thinks of various celebrities that she has worked with over the years, which adds to the sense that this is an authentic book written from the heart.
January 25, 2025
Hilariously funny and honest.
My mam, sister and I are all massive Jenny Eclair fans, her novels are impeccable so I had high expectations for this book! Expectations exceeded, it is brilliant; she is so refreshingly honest, not trying to justify herself. I am also from Blackpool and lived in Lytham so I did have house envy. The perfect memoir where you both roar laughing and also shed tears.
My mam, sister and I are all massive Jenny Eclair fans, her novels are impeccable so I had high expectations for this book! Expectations exceeded, it is brilliant; she is so refreshingly honest, not trying to justify herself. I am also from Blackpool and lived in Lytham so I did have house envy. The perfect memoir where you both roar laughing and also shed tears.
March 5, 2025
This is a real memoir, not your usual puff put out by comedians hoping to grab Xmas sales. It's 'warts and all' tackling her anorexia, and family dementia/death. It's funny though too, edged with bitterness about the opportunities simply not given to female comics and watching men she once used as support acts getting the cushy tv jobs, or playing the main venue as she literally plays the small room under their feet...
October 5, 2025
I wanted to read Jenny Eclairs' autobiography after throughly enjoying her performance on taskmaster.
Whilst this autobiography was reflective and funny, Jenny Eclair came across at times bitter especially towards comics, even more so female comics. She shared her emotions but it still felt like it needed more information for parts of it. I liked that the chapters were linear and learnt more about her history of eating disorders.
Whilst this autobiography was reflective and funny, Jenny Eclair came across at times bitter especially towards comics, even more so female comics. She shared her emotions but it still felt like it needed more information for parts of it. I liked that the chapters were linear and learnt more about her history of eating disorders.
January 19, 2026
CW: competition
Jenny Eclair’s memoir has funny moments. It’s very professionally focused and spends a lot of time griping about not being considered for better jobs, while also making fun of herself for being a poor actor and singer. Her career as a writer is interesting but not dealt with deeply, beyond a fun fixation on houses and connecting them to people she knows. She has had an interesting and varied career, and clearly loves her family. Cozy. Pleasant.
Jenny Eclair’s memoir has funny moments. It’s very professionally focused and spends a lot of time griping about not being considered for better jobs, while also making fun of herself for being a poor actor and singer. Her career as a writer is interesting but not dealt with deeply, beyond a fun fixation on houses and connecting them to people she knows. She has had an interesting and varied career, and clearly loves her family. Cozy. Pleasant.
October 23, 2024
As a child of the late 80's and 90's it certainly as a trip down comedy memory lane. I am glad we've moved on from those years. It's fascinating to see Jenny's progression and insights from a young up and coming comic to err, Older and Wider! :) whilst all the while tackling problems from eating disorders to being a working mother to parents deaths as well as lighter topics like Celebrity TV shows, with her trademark openness and frankness. No bullshit here!
OWL 55 & 10 months
OWL 55 & 10 months
October 28, 2024
Jenny is beautifully honest, hilarious and self-aware and this memoir is a brilliant combination of comedy, showbiz and family life. I adore Jenny and her writing and I now feel even closer to her as she shares the peaks and troughs behind public life. “The Incident” is one of the funniest anecdotes from any celeb memoir ever. Tena lady extra strongly recommended.
January 10, 2025
I loved it. A very funny and honest memoir that doesn’t pull any punches. Very good on body image and eating disorders. Breathtakingly honest about personal failings. Refreshingly bitter about sexism and ageism and career opportunities. And written in a really engaging way - her family and friends come alive.
November 6, 2025
A fun, breezy, easy-to-read memoir that doesn’t fail to be vivid or honest. Jenny bares all and has a laugh while she does so. I love when celebrities who are authors write memoirs because the voice isn’t a ghost writer’s, but very distinctly theirs. This reads like Jenny Eclair’s voice through and through. A great read!
December 29, 2025
I enjoyed it being read in her voice. Hearing her take on her relationship with her daughter was interesting. I loved her on Task Master and it was enjoyable to learn more about her back story. I wasn’t as enamored as I thought I would have been. It took awhile to listen to the whole thing..I actually forgot I finished it. 😅
October 25, 2024
Bloody loved it! Another great read from Jenny.
OWL aged 52 &11/12’s
A must for all OWL devotees ( older & wider podcast) If you haven’t tried that, you should as it’s hilarious and informative.
Very honest, hilarious & touching in equal measure.
OWL aged 52 &11/12’s
A must for all OWL devotees ( older & wider podcast) If you haven’t tried that, you should as it’s hilarious and informative.
Very honest, hilarious & touching in equal measure.
January 13, 2025
loved it
I’ve read most of Jenny’s novels and really like her writing. This autobiography is really interesting and an easy read. I found it hard to put down and am sad it’s finished
I’ve read most of Jenny’s novels and really like her writing. This autobiography is really interesting and an easy read. I found it hard to put down and am sad it’s finished
February 7, 2025
Listened to Jenny reading this an audio book. Really enjoyed it but didn’t find it on such out loud funny. Liked hearing Jenny’s life history as I listen to her podcast with Judith Holder every week.
April 10, 2025
This book starts off being really funny. I had laugh-out-loud moments and read-to-husband moments as we waited in the dentist's waiting room. Maybe it was just fear/hysteria that made it so funny or maybe the second half of the book is just dull 🤷🏼♀️
October 14, 2024
Funny and honest. Fabulous and read by Jenny herself so couldn't be better.
November 29, 2024
3.5 - made me laugh and almost cry and actually interested in 80s English stand up. Jenny Eclair is a great story teller, but the writing could be clunky at times.
January 5, 2025
Excellent read!
January 10, 2025
Enjoyable, mildly amusing insight into the life of Jenny Eclair. Fun listen on audio.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 52 reviews